Variable pattern recorder

ABSTRACT

This invention discloses a variable pattern recorder which produces one or more patterns on a moving roll of paper. The patterns are made by a stylus pen moved by a cam and follower combination which can be varied by repositioning the cam.

Elite States Patent Burchell 14 1 Sept. 12,1972

[54] VARIABLE PATTERN RECORDER [72] Inventor: Wesley Burchell, 17137 Seville,

Fontana, Calif. 92335 [22] Filed: Nov. 12, 1970 [21] Appl. No.1 88,836

Primary Examiner-Harry N. Haroian Attorney-Gregg William Homady [52] US. Cl. ..33/27 J, 33/18 B 51 im. c1. ..B43l 11/00 [57] ABSTRACT [58] meld of Search "33/27 27 27 18 This invention discloses a variable pattern recorder 33/21 D; 35/49 which produces one or more patterns on a moving roll of paper. The patterns are made by a stylus pen [56] References Cited moved by a cam and follower combination which can UNITED STATES PATENTS be varied by repositioning the cam. 2,029,771 2/1936 Gray ..35/49 4 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures In my mm-g iiimf SE? I 2 m2 SHEET 2 [IF 2 "i INVENTOR W9L6V 5066/7664 7 BY Arroz EV 1 VARIABLE PATTERN RECORDER SUMMARY This invention discloses a variable pattern recorder which will produce lines on a moving roll of paper or tape. One or more lines can be produced depending upon the number of arms on the machine. Each arm carries a stylus pen which prints an inked line.

The object of this invention is to provide a machine to print a line pattern on a moving roll of paper and having a special function of being able to vary the starting point of the pattern by repositioning a cam with respect to the follower.

It is another object of the invention to disclose the use of a variable pattern recording machine which combines two or more recording arms and stylus, each of which is adjustable as to starting position on a movable roll of paper.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the use of the variable pattern recorder having two or more stylus arms, each arm capable of producing a line at any position across the roll of moving paper and without interfering with the other arms.

It is a further object of the present invention to disclose a variable pattern recorder having a single drive means to impart movement to'two or more separate cam and follower assemblies.

Other object and advantages of the present invention become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the recorder I showing recording arms drawing lines on the moving roll of paper or scroll.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the recorder taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1 disclosing the relative positions of three cam shaft and follower assemblies with respect to the recording arms.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the three cam shaft assemblies taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1 showingtheir relative positions and the relationship between these assemblies, the pulleys attached thereto, and the two drive belts which impart movement to the shafts.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the cam shaft assembly taken on line 4--4 of FIG. 2 which discloses the relative parts comprising the assembly.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a section of the resulting paper scroll which has passed through the position of influence of the recording stylus pen.

Referring to the drawing, FIG. 1 discloses the following elements. A motor operates in conjunction with a reduction gear assembly 11. The drive shaft 12 of the reduction gear mounts the pinion 13. The pinion 13 engages sprocket reel drive gear and cam assembly drive gear 26.

The sprocket reel drive gear 25 is rotatably mounted on the sprocket reel shaft 21. A clutch plate 23 is fabricated from rubber or leather or similar materials and is loosely positioned around the shaft 21. The clutch face plate 22 is firmly affixed to the shaft 21. The combination of the drive gear 25, clutch plate 23 and face plate 22 comprise a friction clutch which allows the operator to disengage the sprocket reel shaft from movement by axially moving the shaft with finger pressure on knob 26. The sprocket reel shafi 21 is positioned in bearings 24. The bearings are housed in a frame 29. The sprocket reel 40 carries teeth 41. The teeth align with perforations in the paper and drive the scroll 45. The scroll 45 is driven across a flat surface table 46. The purpose of the table 46 is to receive the slight pressure from the stylus pen 31 and to allow smooth movement of the scroll while the stylus pen is same shaft as knob 52. For clarity it should be noted atthis point that pulley 61 is not connected in any way to the shaft controlled by knob 51. The preferred embodiment herein discloses three camshaft assemblies. FIG. 1 only shows two knobs, 51 and 52. The third knob and shaft assembly is not shown as it sits immediately beneath the cam-shaft assembly controlled by knob 51.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the construction of a cam shaft assembly will become more evident. The shaft 55 is mounted in bearing 54, frame 70, and frame 29 and held in position by means of locking ring 91. The shaft carries knob 51, collar 56, spring 57, cam 58, cam plate 59, face plate 90, and pulley 66. Pulley 66 and face plate are held in position by appropriate set screws 81. Cam follower 35 can be seen impinging the cam s surface. The cam follower 35 is attached to recording arm 32. A portion of the third cam 83 can be seen below cam 58. Also recording arms 33 and 34 can be seen, arm 34 being attached to follower 36. Belt 68 is carried by pulley 66. 7

Referring back to FIG. 1, many of the same parts shown on section view FIG. 4 can be seen. These include bearing 54, shaft 55, collar 56, spring 57, cam 58, cam follower 35, pulley 66, and belt 67. Spring 91 can be seen connected to the frame and to the recording arm 32 causing tension both downward against the scroll 45 and against the cam 58.

Referring now to FIG. 2, each of the recording arms,

32, 33, and 34 can be seen carrying stylus pens 31, 97,

and 98 respectively. Recording arm 32 can be seen with its cam follower 35 attached and impinging cam 58. Recording arm 32 is rotatably mounted on post 93 by means of collar 94. Post 93 is attached to a flange on bracket 95. Bracket 95 is secured to frame 29 by appropriate screws. Ink tubes 99 lead up to arms 32, 33, and 34 and enter the arms through an aperture and connect to the stylus pen. These tubes can serve ink by capillary action. Recording arms 33 and 34 are mounted to the frame 29 in the same manner and with similar equipment as described for recording'arm 32.

Supply reel 101 is mounted to frame .29 by means of shaft 102 and bearing 103. The supply reel provides the scroll to sprocket reel 40. The paper then passes within the influence of the stylus pens over the top of table 46 and continues over roller 105. The weight 104 is shown to maintain tension on the scroll for smooth flow of the paper over table 46. A take-up reel could be substituted for weight 104.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the relationship of the pulleys-is shown. Pulley 66'is located above'pulley 65. Belt 67 imparts rotationzfrom pulley 64 to pulley 66. Belt 68 v imparts rotation from pulley 64 to pulley 65. The

direction of movement of the pulleys is shown by the arrow indicated.-

Referring now to FIG. 5, one form of pattern is shown. Three lines are drawn, each line being drawn by one of the stylus pens 31, 97, or 98. The starting point of each of the lines near the numeral 1 on the scroll is determined by setting the cam position with the use of the knobs connected to the cam shafts. The pattern illustrated is three sine waves, each having the same amplititude, but with varying periods. If a sine wave is used, the amplitude and period will depend upon the size and characteristics of the cam that is desired. The pattern need not be a series of sine waves, but may be any pattern within the limits of the design of a cam.

I claim:

1. A variable pattern recorder which comprises:

a. a base;

b. a rotating drive means attached to said base;

c. a cam rotated by said means;

d. a cam follower impinging said cam;

e. an elongated arm connected to said follower in a manner that said rotating cam will impartmovement to said arm;

f. an inking stylus carried by said arm;

g. a sprocket reel rotated by said drive means;

h. a scroll carried by said sprocket reel and passing in contact with said inking stylus to create an ink line on said scroll;

. a knob attached to said cam to allow repositioning of the cam with respect to the follower;

j. a knob attached to said sprocket reel to allow repositioning of the reel with respect to the stylus pens.

2. A variablepattern recorder as described in claim 1 with:

a. said cam comprises a cylinder having one end attached to the drive means and the opposite end impinged by said follower;

b. a plurality of said cam, cam follower, elongated arm, and inking stylus combinations are driven by said drive means;

0. a friction clutch means attached between said drive means and said cam to provide for disengaging said cam from said drive means to allow repositioning of said inking stylus.

3. A variable pattern recorder as described in claim 2 wherein said drive means comprises:

a. a motor;

b. a reduction gear assembly driven by said motor;

c. a pulley attached to said reduction gear assembly by means of a drive shaft;

d. a belt rotated by said pulley;

e. a second pulley rotated by said belt;

f. a first cam attached to said first pulley by a shaft and rotated thereby;

g. a second cam attached to said second pulley by a shaft and rotated thereby.

4. A variable pattern recorder as described in claim 2 wherein:

a. said cam comprises a cylinder having one end attached to the drive means and the opposite end 

1. A variable pattern recorder which comprises: a. a base; b. a rotating drive means attached to said base; c. a cam rotated by said means; d. a cam follower impinging said cam; e. an elongated arm connected to said follower in a manner that said rotating cam will impart movement to said arm; f. an inking stylus carried by said arm; g. a sprocket reel rotated by said drive means; h. a scroll carried by said sprocket reel and passing in contact with said inking stylus to create an ink line on said scroll; i. a knob attached to said cam to allow repositioning of the cam with respect to the follower; j. a knob attached to said sprocket reel to allow repositioning of the reel with respect to the stylus pens.
 2. A variable pattern recorder as described in claim 1 with: a. said cam comprises a cylinder having one end attached to the drive means and the opposite end impinged by said follower; b. a plurality of said cam, cam follower, elongated arm, and inking stylus combinations are driven by said drive means; c. a friction clutch means attached between said drive means and said cam to provide for disengaging said cam from said drive means to allow repositioning of said inking stylus.
 3. A variable pattern recorder as described in claim 2 wherein said drive means comprises: a. a motor; b. a reduction gear assembly driven by said motor; c. a pulley attached to said reduction gear assembly by means of a drive shaft; d. a belt rotated by said pulley; e. a second pulley rotated by said belt; f. a first cam attached to said first pulley by a shaft and rotated thereby; g. a second cam attached to said second pulley by a shaft and rotated thereby.
 4. A variable pattern recorder as described in claim 2 wherein: a. said cam comprises a cylinder having one end attached to the drive means and the opposite end impinged by said follower; b. a plurality of said cam, cam follower, elongated arm, and inking stylus combinations are driven by said drive means; c. a friction clutch means attached between said drive means and said sprocket reel to provide for disengaging said sprocket reel from said drive means to allow repositioning of said scroll. 